Hat with protective band

ABSTRACT

A protective band that may be added to a hat, such as a baseball hat, is included. The protective band may include an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer may include cloth and the inner layer may include foam. The protective band may fit within the hat and may be worn with the hat.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a protective band and, more particularly, to protective band insert that fits within a hat.

Currently, when a pitcher is playing baseball, the pitcher is exposed to a line drive hit from the batter. The pitcher may sustain a head injury if the batted baseball strikes the pitcher's head. This may occur in the Little League and up to the Major League. One option is for the pitcher to use a baseball helmet. However, baseball helmets may cause too much discomfort to the pitcher. Further, a pitcher's head moves aggressively when the pitcher releases the ball. The extra weight of the helmet may cause neck discomfort or injury.

As can be seen, there is a need for a lightweight protective hat for a baseball pitcher

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a protective hat comprising: a hat having an inside that is configured to fit on a humans head; and a protective band comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a cloth and the inner layer comprises a foam, wherein the protective band fits within and is adjacent to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.

In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band is affixed to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.

In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band is stitched to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.

In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band is stitched to the entire circumference of the inside of the hat.

In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band extends from the inside of the hat to the outside of the hat and is configured to substantially cover a forehead of a user.

In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band further comprises ear cut out portions configured to fit around a user's ears.

In another aspect of the present invention, the cloth is made of at least one of synthetic fibers and natural fibers.

In another aspect of the present invention, the hat is a baseball hat. In another aspect of the present invention, the protective band is an adjustable protective band.

In another aspect of the present invention, the adjustable protective band comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end comprises a first strap with a hook fastener and the second end comprises a second strap with a loop fastener.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the invention shown in use;

FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 4 is an exploded rear perspective view of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a section view of the invention taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the invention showing the cloth covered foam band 10 unrolled and removed from the baseball hat 20;

FIG. 7 is a section view of the invention taken along line 7-7 in FIG. 6 shown with stitching 16 removed for clarity;

FIG. 8 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the invention shown with the adjustable cloth covered foam band 34 closed;

FIG. 9 is a rear perspective view of an alternate embodiment the invention shown with the adjustable cloth covered foam band 34 open;

FIG. 10 is an exploded rear perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the invention shown with the adjustable cloth covered foam band 34 open;

FIG. 11 is a section view of the alternate embodiment of the invention taken along line 11-11 in FIG. 8 shown with stitching 16 removed for clarity; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the alternate embodiment of the invention showing the adjustable cloth covered foam band 34 unrolled and removed from the baseball hat 20.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a protective band that may be added to a hat, such as a baseball hat. The protective band may include an outer layer and an inner layer. The outer layer may include cloth and the inner layer may include foam. The protective band may fit within the hat and may be worn with the hat.

The present invention may include a protective hat for pitchers. The protective hat may include a force absorbing dense foam insert extending down from the baseball hat. The insert may wrap around the entire head of the player. The dense foam insert in the baseball hat may significantly reduce the force of the impact of a baseball when the baseball strikes the head. Further, the foam adds little weight to the baseball hat.

Referring to FIGS. 1 through 12, the present invention may include a hat 20. The hat 20 of the present invention may include a baseball hat with a brim 22. However, the present invention may be used on any hat or helmet needing additional impact protection as known by those in the art. The hat 20 may include an inside and an outside. The inside of the hat 20 may be configured to fit on a human's 32 head.

In certain embodiments, the present invention may further include a protective band 10. The protective band 10 may include an outer layer 12 and an inner layer 14. The protective band 10 may fit within and may be adjacent to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat 20. In certain embodiments, the protective band 10 may be affixed to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat 20. For example, the protective band 10 may be stitched to the inside of the hat 20, or the hat 20 and the protective band 10 may be attached by a hook and loop fastener configuration. In certain embodiments, the protective band 10 is stitched to the entire circumference of the inside of the hat 20.

As mentioned above, the protective band 10 may include an outer layer 12 and an inner layer 14. The outer layer 12 of the protective band 10 may be made of a cloth. The cloth may be made from synthetic fibers, natural fibers, or a combination thereof. For example, the cloth may be made of silk, Gor-tex®, cotton, polyester and the like. The inner layer 14 may be made of foam. The foam may be a dense protective foam that absorbs the energy when impacted. Thereby, when a baseball player 32 is wearing the hat 20 with the protective band 10 and is struck by a baseball, the foam of the protective band 10 may absorb at least a portion of the energy and reduce the injury sustained by the player 32.

In certain embodiments, the protective band 10 may extend from the inside of the hat 10 to the outside of the hat 10. In certain embodiments, the protective band 10 may wrap around the player's 32 head and cover the player's 32 forehead. The protective band 10 may further include ear cutouts 18. The ear cutouts 18 may fit around the player's 32 ear 30 for a more comfortable fit.

The present invention may include a fitted band configuration 36 and an adjustable configuration 38. The fitted band configuration 36 may not be adjustable and the dimensions of the band 10 may be made for a specific player's 36 head. The adjustable configuration 38 may be a one-size fits all type configurations. The adjustable cloth covered foam band 34 may include a fastener 28 near the rear of the baseball hat 20, on the opposite end of the brim 22. The fastener 28 may include a hook 24 and loop 26 fastener, a clip, an adjustable strap and the like.

A method of making the present invention may include the following. A cloth may be cut to size and foam may be cut to a desired length with a two and one-half inch width. However, the width may be cut in different desired sizes. The cloth may be wrapped around the strip of the dense foam material. The cloth may be sewn together to contain the foam strip. In the adjustable configuration, the end of the rectangular unit may be affixed with a hook and loop fastening strip to accommodate multiple head sizes. In the fitted band configuration, the ends of the rectangular unit may be stitched together. The protective band may then be stitched directly to the hat. A player, prior to pitching, may place the hat on their head for protective use.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A protective hat comprising: a hat having an inside that is configured to fit on a humans head; and a protective band comprising an outer layer and an inner layer, wherein the outer layer comprises a cloth and the inner layer comprises a foam, wherein the protective band fits within and is adjacent to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.
 2. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the protective band is affixed to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.
 3. The protective hat of claim 2, wherein the protective band is stitched to at least a portion of a circumference of the inside of the hat.
 4. The protective hat of claim 3, wherein the protective band is stitched to the entire circumference of the inside of the hat.
 5. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the protective band extends from the inside of the hat to the outside of the hat and is configured to substantially cover a forehead of a user.
 6. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the protective band further comprises ear cut out portions configured to fit around a user's ears.
 7. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the cloth is made of at least one of synthetic fibers and natural fibers.
 8. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the hat is a baseball hat.
 9. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the protective band is an adjustable protective band.
 10. The protective hat of claim 1, wherein the adjustable protective band comprises a first end and a second end, and wherein the first end comprises a first strap with a hook fastener and the second end comprises a second strap with a loop fastener. 